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Super Bowl 2014: Peyton Manning - I'm not a robotPeyton Manning's pre-game preparations and his ability to dissect a game have been hot topics of discussion this week. Speaking to the media Wednesday morning, Manning said that he's not a robot, but maybe he used to be. (Video by Michael Monday/The Star-Ledger)

"My preparation has changed. I come home, and I love spending time with the kids and putting them to bed. I don't stay up as late. I need to get my rest more. Maybe I was a robot early on. Now, maybe I am a little more human."

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, meanwhile, told the NFL Network that he never thought big brother Peyton would be able to return to the field after watching him throw following the first of his four neck surgeries. Eli, who clearly should never be asked for a medical opinion, said Peyton's post-surgery tosses were nothing more than "lobs":

"I was pretty much convinced he was done," Eli said. "There was no way he could come back and play football."

Way to keep the faith, bro.

For the Seahawks, the focus Wednesday was on a man of few, if any, words. Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch, who is being forced to begrudgingly acknowledge reporters during Super Bowl week after ignoring them all season, turned talking without actually saying anything into an art form for the second straight day.

On what he ate last night: (Teammate Michael Robinson steps in to answer): "We ate some soul food in Harlem, some chicken and waffles, man."

On what he thinks of the media attention: "I really don't have too much to say, boss. I really don't. I appreciate it, but I don't get it. I'm just here so I won't get fined, boss. That's the only reason I'm here."

Would I like it better if he was a good talker? Of course. I do this for a living. I want a locker room filled with Shermans and Peyton Mannings. But if Lynch doesn't want to use this platform for anything, maybe we should just let him sit in the corner and play with his phone.

There are too many engaging athletes with good stories at the Super Bowl to worry about what one running back doesn't have to say.

And on that note, here's a look at more of those good Super Bowl stories from NJ.com: